🧭 Lumo says: Pick one engine to start - you can try the others later

Start Here - Pick Your Engine

Not sure where to begin? Choose the engine that fits your device and interest. Each track shows 3 workshops in order with time and skills. All free, all in the browser where possible, no account needed to start.

Stardust says: start with what you feel like

What do you want to do first?

I want to play a game Jump straight into a finished game. Arcane Citadel is the flagship: a five-minute tower defence run. Play Arcane Citadel → I want to make a game Build your first game step by step. Start with a Scratch fruit-catch, no install needed. Start the first workshop → I want to draw or create Make a pixel character in about 15 minutes, then save or export it to keep. Start the Pixel mission →
🐱
Scratch
Browser · Ages 6+ · No install · Best first engine
  1. 1. Don't Drop It! Fruit Catch
    Catch falling fruit with a basket. Learn sprites, keyboard input and scoring.
    ⏱ 8 steps · ~1 hrSkill: sprites, movement, score
  2. 2. Find the Exit! Maze
    Guide a sprite through walls, collect keys and add a timer with levels.
    ⏱ 11 steps · ~1.5 hrsSkill: walls, collision, levels
  3. 3. Jump & Run! Platformer
    Build a scrolling platformer with gravity, platforms, coins and a finish flag.
    ⏱ 10 steps · ~1.5 hrsSkill: gravity, scrolling, collectibles

Full series: My First Scratch Game (6 games) →

🟣
Godot
Desktop · Ages 10+ · GDScript · Free install
  1. 1. GDScript Essentials
    Learn variables, functions and signals - the language of Godot.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1 hrSkill: GDScript basics
  2. 2. How To: Godot 4 Platformer
    Build your first platformer scene, player movement and camera.
    ⏱ 8 steps · ~2 hrsSkill: scenes, physics, input
  3. 3. Zoom Zoom Racing
    Add a car, track, laps and pickups to race with a friend.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1.5 hrsSkill: racing, loops, collisions

Full series: My First Video Game (9 episodes) →

🎮
PICO-8
Fantasy console · Ages 8+ · Lua · Tiny games
  1. 1. Pong Clone
    Ball, paddles and score - the classic. Learn motion and bounce.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1 hrSkill: movement, bounce, input
  2. 2. Snake
    Grow a snake, eat food and avoid yourself. Lists and growth.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1 hrSkill: lists, growth, game over
  3. 3. Platformer
    Jump, run and collect across platforms with PICO-8 physics.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1.5 hrsSkill: gravity, tiles, levels

Full series: My First PICO-8 Game (6 games) →

🟢
Defold
Desktop · Ages 10+ · Lua · Lightweight
  1. 1. Pong Clone
    Set up collections, game objects and messages in Defold.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1 hrSkill: collections, messages
  2. 2. Snake
    Build a grid snake that grows and checks for collisions.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1 hrSkill: grid, input, logic
  3. 3. Platformer
    Platforms, jumps and coins with Defold's built-in physics.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1.5 hrsSkill: physics, tiles, camera

Full series: My First Defold Game (6 games) →

🎯
Roblox Studio
Desktop · Ages 7+ · Lua · 3D worlds
  1. 1. Obby (Start Here)
    Build an obstacle course with checkpoints and lava - your first Roblox place.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1 hrSkill: parts, checkpoints
  2. 2. Tycoon
    Buttons that give money, droppers and a tycoon to build.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1.5 hrsSkill: buttons, currency
  3. 3. Simulator
    Click for coins, pets and upgrades - learn simulators.
    ⏱ 6 steps · ~1.5 hrsSkill: clicks, pets, upgrades

Full series: My First Roblox Studio Game (9 games) →

Still not sure? Browse all workshops or try the 15-min Pixel Character mission →